Kieran Antill’s best-known advertising campaign is “Vote Earth”, a video for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) used to launch “Earth Hour”. This ad has screened in 74 countries and, over three years, has encouraged a billion people to turn off their lights across the globe.

Last year Sydney-born Antill and his creative partner Michael Canning won the Grand Prix, “best in show” award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Their campaign for Canon’s “World of Eos”, which the duo created while working at Leo Burnett Creative Agency in Sydney, along with a music video called “Space Monkey”, featuring musician Ben Lee and supported by WWF, scooped a total of 11 trophies, setting a new Australian record.

These awards contributed to his and Canning’s appointment as creative directors of Leo Burnett’s new offices in New York.

It’s these artistic collaborations that have the most impact on his career, Antill says. “The talented people in this world that I get to work with are a far greater motivator to me, to do more, to do better, and to keep creating.”

Antill first went to the US on a basketball scholarship when he was 18. But he changed track and ended up graduating with a double major in Fine Arts and Graphics. Returning to Australia in 2003, he worked freelance in the advertising industry.

Simultaneously, 32-year-old Antill also pursues a dual career as a fine artist and has held shows in Sydney, New York and London.

Currently, he and Canning are creating a sculpture of giant children’s blocks. Each letter represents the 21st Century alphabet, taken from social media. For example “f is for Facebook”.

And what is Antill’s future direction? “I see myself going where the work excites me. I know the world sees two separate paths but I would love to be recognised in prestigious fine art awards and continue my successes in the commercial world.”